Interchangable capsule to prepare an infusion of a powdered product, and relative method to obtain this infusion

ABSTRACT

Capsule to prepare an infusion of a powdered product, in particular coffee, having: a cup-shaped body with a bottom, which has an opening, and a lateral wall; a basket for containing the powdered product which is made of filtering material and is arranged inside said cup-shaped body; support elements, which are arranged between the bottom of the cup-shaped body and the basket; spacer elements which are suited to delimit a plurality of preferential channels between the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body and the basket; wherein a deflector device transverse to the longitudinal axis is provided; wherein the support elements are interposed between the preferential channels and the opening and are suited to create a labyrinth path for the infusion fluid coming from said preferential channels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an interchangeable capsule to prepare an infusion of a powdered product, for example coffee or similar products.

The present invention also relates to a method for obtaining an infusion of said powdered product.

In particular, the present invention is directed to prepare the so-called “American coffee”.

Incidentally, although the present invention has advantageous but not exclusive application to the interchangeable capsules to prepare an infusion of “American coffee” (to which the following description will make explicit reference without loss of generality), the teachings of the present invention may be applied to any type of interchangeable capsule for example to the interchangeable capsules for espresso coffee, tea, chamomile etc.

BACKGROUND ART

As known, being defined as “American coffee” is an infusion obtained by the use of a particular machine wherein the hot water passes through a filter containing the grounded, un-pressed coffee and is deposited by gravity into an underlying carafe.

The coffee that is used to prepare said beverage differs from that used in “moka” machines or Italian espresso by the fact of being coarsely ground and not being subjected to any pre-compression when arranged inside the capsule.

Coffee maker machines specially made to prepare American coffee and characterized by a very simple operation are commercially available.

In fact, these machines comprise a water tank, a pump that sends the heated water inside a small container provided with a paper filter containing the coffee. The hot water submerges the coffee and, passing through the paper filter, falls by gravity into the underlying carafe suited to keep the drink hot for a long time as it is heated by a suitable electrical resistance element.

In addition to the traditional American coffee makers wherein the cup-shaped filter is filled manually by the user, capsules which have an outer casing wherein a paper filter partly filled with un-pressed coffee is inserted have recently appeared on the market.

By means of specialized percolator machines the lid and the bottom in plastic material are perforated so as to create a flow of hot water allowing an infusion of the coffee powder.

However, the capsules currently on the market do not work reliably. In fact normally only providing a filter on the bottom, the incoming hot water is induced to flow along substantially vertical preferential fluid threads and therefore does not affect the entire mass of the powdered product contained inside the capsule.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable infusion capsule wherein the infusion water path within the capsule itself is as extended and tortuous as possible to delay the infusion time and to affect a greater quantity of product as possible.

Further object of the present invention is to provide an innovative method for obtaining said infusion.

According to the present invention, therefore, a interchangeable capsule is obtained, as claimed in claim 1 or in any of the claims depending directly or indirectly on claim 1.

Always in accordance to the principles of the present invention, is provided an innovative method for obtaining an infusion of a powdered product, as claimed in claim 11 or in any of the claims depending directly or indirectly on claim 11.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention in the following is described a purely illustrative and not limitative embodiment, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the capsule, in use, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a variant in a first detail; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates the section IV-IV of FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the attached figures a preferred embodiment of an interchangeable capsule 90 according to the teachings of the present invention has been shown.

The interchangeable capsule 90 is suited to contain inside, as will be better explained later, a certain quantity of a powdered product (for example coffee) for obtaining an infusion, in particular of “American coffee” according to the definition given above.

The interchangeable capsule 90 comprises a cup-shaped body 101, which has a longitudinal axis (Y), an inner cavity 91, an upper opening 92 and a lower opening 93 opposite to each other. The capsule 90 also comprises a lid 102, which closes said upper opening 92, and a basket 94, which is arranged inside the cup-shaped body 101 and is suited to house the powdered product.

The basket 94 is made substantially of water-permeable material and acts as a filtering means for the infusion created by the water and by the powdered product, as will be further and better explained. Preferably, the basket 94 is made of non-woven fabric; alternatively, the basket 94 is made of plastic material for food use and has a plurality of micro slits for filtering the infusion. Preferably, the basket 94 is made of a deformable material.

The basket 94 is fixed inside the capsule 90 by means of the interaction between the cup-shaped body 101 and the lid 102 and rests on the bottom 101A of the cup-shaped body 101, as will be better explained later. The capsule 90 comprises, finally, a base 100 defined by a disc of rigid material with a circular profile. Preferably, the bottom cover 100 is made of plastic material suitable for food use. The bottom cover 100 is inserted in the basket 92 so as to extend transversely to the longitudinal axis (Y) and is interposed between the upper opening 92 and the lower opening 93.

The cup-shaped body 101 comprises, in turn, a bottom 101A obtained advantageously, but not necessarily, in one piece with a lateral wall 101B.

Note that through the bottom 101A an axis (X) passes, that lies substantially on a plane (n) which defines a substantially horizontal direction.

Furthermore, in the present context any “substantially horizontal” body element or device is a body element or device that lies substantially on the plane (n). It must obviously be considered as “substantially horizontal” also body elements or devices which lie substantially on any plane parallel to the plane (n).

As shown in the figures, the longitudinal axis (Y) is a central vertical axis of symmetry perpendicular to said axis (X).

So, in the present context any body element or device “substantially vertical” is a body element or device that substantially extends according to the direction defined by the axis (Y).

The lateral wall 101B has the usual substantially frusto-conical countersunk shape along the axis (Y).

The cup-shaped body 101 has an upper end 103 and comprises a contact edge 104 in the shape of a circular crown which protrudes radially outside the lateral wall 101B to ensure that the entire interchangeable capsule 90 can be housed in an appropriate receptacle obtained in a percolator machine (not shown). The supporting edge 104 also has a circular recess 104A obtained along the entire inner circular perimeter of the contact edge 104 itself. The recess 104A is facing inside the cavity 91.

The cup-shaped body 101 comprises, furthermore, a ring 111 coaxial with the axis (Y) and which axially protrudes from the bottom 101A outside of the cup-shaped body 101 itself. The ring 111 is suited to form a watertight sealing area in contact with a contact base of the capsule 90.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the bottom 101A, the lateral wall 101B, the contact edge 104 and the ring 111 are made in one piece with a suitable, known type plastic material for food use.

The cup-shaped body 101 also comprises a plurality of ribs 105 that protrude longitudinally to the lateral wall 101B and within the cavity 91. The ribs 105 are evenly distributed around the axis (Y). Two adjacent ribs 105 of the cup-shaped body 101 define a respective infusion channel 106. Each rib 105 extends from the bottom 101A up to about 80% of the overall longitudinal extension of the cavity 91.

The cup-shaped body 101 comprises, furthermore, a plurality of support elements 107, which protrude from the bottom 101A inside the cavity 91. As shown in the figures, the lower opening 93 is concentric with the axis (Y) and the support elements 107 are evenly distributed around said lower opening 93.

The support elements 107 form a labyrinth path. In particular, the support elements 107 are divided into radial walls 107A and curved walls 107B. The radial walls 107A are interposed between the curved walls 107B and the opening 93. As shown in FIG. 2, the curved walls 107B are evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis (Y) and are formed as portions of a cylindrical body. Preferably the walls 107B are four and each curved wall 107B has a central angle of about 80°. The radial walls 107A are evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis (Y). Preferably the radial walls 107A are fourteen.

As a result from what has just been described, each support element 107 is spaced from another support element 107, so that on the bottom of the cup-shaped body 101 a labyrinth path arranged radially around the lower opening 93 is formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basket 94 has the shape of a cup-shaped body and comprises a lateral wall 95 and a bottom 96, which delimit an inner cavity 97 and an upper opening 98. The basket 94 also comprises an edge 99 which projects radially outwards from the lateral wall 95.

Finally, the lid 102 has a substantially circular shape in plan and has a circular shaped central hole 108 for the passage of water. Preferably, the lid 102 is made of known type plastic material for food products. The lid 102 also comprises a filter 109 suited to close the hole 108. Preferably, the filter 109 is made of non-woven fabric or, alternatively, is made of plastic material for food use and is suited to be torn at the time of use. According to a variant, not illustrated, the lid is made of a peelable film material fixed in a known manner, for example welded, on the edge 104 of the cup-shaped body 101. According to a variant, not illustrated, the lid is continuous and has no holes or filters.

As shown in the figures, the basket 94 is arranged within the cup-shaped body 101 so that its bottom 96 is in contact with the support elements 107 of the cup-shaped body 101 itself. Preferably, the bottom 96 of the basket 94 is fixed in a known manner, for example welded, on the support elements 107. The edge 99 of the basket 94 is supported on the recess 104A of the cup-shaped body 101. Preferably, the edge 99 is welded in a known way on the recess 104A.

The bottom cover 100 is inserted inside the cavity 97 of the basket 94 and is arranged so as to be coaxial with the axis (Y). Preferably, the bottom cover 100 is resting on the bottom 96 of the basket 94. The bottom cover 100 is fixed to the bottom 96 of the basket 94 by way of known methods (hence the bottom cover 100 is fixed by means of the basket 94 also to the support elements 107); for example, the bottom cover 100 is welded or glued to the bottom of the basket 94.

According to a variant not illustrated, the bottom cover 100 is fixed to the bottom 96 of the basket 94 and to the outside of the cavity 97. According to a further variant, not illustrated, the basket 94 has a tubular shape and the bottom cover 100 is arranged to close said tubular shape acting substantially as a bottom for the basket 94. According to a further variant, not illustrated, the bottom cover 100 is fixed, for example welded or glued, onto the support elements 107.

The lid 102 is arranged within the upper opening 92 and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (Y). The lid 102 is supported within the recess 104A and on the edge 99. Preferably, the lid 102 is welded to the edge 104 of the cup shaped body 101 at the recess 104A. Preferably, the lid 102 is mounted with interference inside the edge 104 of the cup-shaped body 101 so as to hold the edge 99 of the basket 94 against the cup-shaped body 101 itself.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 an alternative 101′ of the cup-shaped body 101 is illustrated, it is noted that in FIGS. 3 and 4 the elements in common with the cup-shaped body 101 maintain the same numbering. The cup-shaped body 101′ comprises a plurality of support elements 107′, which protrude from the bottom 96 inside the cup-shaped body 101 itself. The support elements 107′ are arranged radially around the axis (Y). The support elements 107′ form a labyrinth path. The support elements 107′ are divided into bars of larger dimensions 107′A and into bars of smaller dimensions 107′B. Two adjacent bars of smaller dimensions 107′B are interspersed with a bar of larger dimensions 107′A.

The different arrangements of the support elements 107 or 107′ on the bottom 96 of the cup-shaped body 101 or 101′ are suited to maximize the outflow and the quality of the infusion.

Preferably, the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ and/or the basket 94 and/or the lid 102 are made of biodegradable material.

The operation of the present capsule 90 is the following:

a) Pressurized or percolated hot water in the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ is introduced through the hole 108 (possibly by breaking the filter 109 if made of plastic material) according to the direction and the way identified by the arrow (F1); b) the hot water after passing the filter 109 immediately meets the powdered product arranged in the cavity 97 of the basket 94 and the produced infusion liquid/hot water begins to form; c) said infusion liquid impacts the bottom 100 and is deflected horizontally and radially according to the directions and the ways of the arrows (F2); d) the infusion liquid is pushed through the lateral walls 95 and outside the basket 94; e) the lateral wall 95 of the basket 94 is deformed under the action of water pressure and against the ribs 105 of the cup-shaped body 101 so to have a substantially curvilinear trend with an alternation of longitudinal protrusions 110 protruding inside the cavity 97, as will be better explained in the following; f) the infusion liquid colliding with the lateral walls 101B of the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ is channeled within the channels 106 between the ribs 105; g) the infusion liquid flows along the channels 106 towards the bottom 101A of the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ in the direction (F3); and h) the infusion liquid flows radially in the direction (F4) on the bottom 101A towards the opening 93 and then is distributed to the outside of the capsule 90; flowing on the bottom 101A the infusion fluid passes through the labyrinth path created by the support elements 107, 107′.

In particular, each protrusion 110 is made so as to be arranged at least partially around a respective rib 105.

Preferably, each protrusion 110 is tapered in the vicinity of both ends. In particular, each protrusion 110 has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section the size of which varies along the axis (Y). Preferably each protrusion has a radial extension along the lateral wall 95 in correspondence of the lower longitudinal ends and increased in correspondence to a central area. Preferably the trapezoidal profiles of two adjacent protrusions 110 are in contact with each other in the vicinity of a substantially central area. Each protrusion 110 is suited to wrap, at least partially, a respective rib 105, as will be better explained in the following.

After the delivery of the infusion the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ can be tightened below the edge 104 so as to cause a plastic deformation in the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ itself, and to allow to extract the lid 102. In this way it is possible to clean up (for example by emptying and rinsing) the basket 94 and separate the plastic material from the organic material so as to facilitate the recycling and separate collection of all the components of the capsule 90.

From the above description, the bottom cover 100 is transverse to the direction F1 of the liquid inserted in the basket 94 so as to divert the direction horizontally. The basket 94 basically acts as a filtering means wherein the lateral wall 95 is suited to filter the infusion created by the mixing of water and powdered product.

The present invention also relates to a method for the production of a beverage infusion in particular of American coffee; the method is characterized by the following steps:

(f1) centrally and vertically injecting a given amount of hot water into the basket 94; (f2) causing at least part of the hot water to be deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the deflector device 100; (f3) deforming the lateral wall 95 of the basket 94 by means of the interaction of the hot water and of the spacer elements, such as the ribs 105; (f4) filtering the infusion in said substantially horizontal direction causing it to pass through substantially vertical filtering means 95; 110 of the basket 94 so as to convey said filtered infusion in preferential channels 106 created between the cup-shaped body 90 and the basket 94; (f5) converging the filtered infusion along said preferential channels 106 towards the bottom 101A of the cup shaped body 101; 101′; and (f6) mixing the filtered infusion by means of the support elements 107; 107′ before the outflow of the filtered infusion itself from the capsule 90 through the opening 93 on the bottom 101A of said cup-shaped body 101; 101′.

The advantages of the capsule object of the present invention are the following:

-   -   the capsule 90 of the invention has preferably, but not         necessarily, a hole 108 from which the first entry of the hot         water from a jet of the machine takes place; the hot water is         thus evenly distributed in the mass of powdered product         contained inside the basket 94; this feature allows to control         in a uniform and constant way the distribution of water in the         capsule 90 itself;     -   the bottom of the basket 94 is closed to prevent preferential         vertical outflows of water in the infusion step, as instead         happens for the other known capsules on the market having a         filter on the bottom or a single opening created due to a         puncture of the bottom itself;     -   the filtering area of the infusion is substantially vertical         through the lateral walls 95 of the basket 94 so as to have a         larger filtration area with respect to the capsules providing a         coffee filter arranged only on the bottom; furthermore, this         vertical filtering creates a turbulence effect improving the         exploitation of the product to be infused;     -   with the capsule 90 it is possible, in the industrialization         step, to perform central dosing thus simplifying the         implementation of the machinery responsible for the packaging of         the same;     -   the ribs 105 maintain the lateral wall 95 of the basket 94         spaced from the lateral wall 101B of the cup-shaped body 101,         101′ preventing the two to adhere (in this case the infusion         liquid would not be able to flow out in the direction (F3)         outside the basket 94);     -   the ribs 105 together with the lateral wall 95 of the basket         delimit a plurality of preferential channels 106 which allow the         outflow of the infusion liquid and allow particularly         advantageous timing and constant dispensing; in particular, it         is to be noted that the shape and the size of each preferential         channel 106 is definable by the suitable dimensioning of the         ribs 105, so as to obtain the best possible quality of fluid         infusion given by obtaining both the optimal pressure and speed         of the outflow;     -   the protrusions 110 increase the filtration area being equal the         total radial dimensions of the capsule 90; and     -   the particular distribution of the support elements 107 on the         bottom 101A allows to create a tortuous path of the filtrated         infusion liquid thus improving the quality, in particular,         allowing a greater extractive capacity of the infusion;         moreover, the path of the support elements 107 affects the         outflow of the filtrated infusion liquid along said preferential         channels 106;     -   the possibility to easily disassemble the lid 102 and the basket         94 from the cup-shaped body 101, 101′ enables the total         recyclability of all the components of the capsule 90 being able         to differentiate the components, one with respect to the other,         according to the type of waste (plastic-organic); moreover, in         this way it is also possible to reuse multiple times the         cup-shaped body 101, 101′ and the lid 102 only substituting the         basket 94 (reduction of waste). 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A capsule to prepare an infusion of a powdered product, the capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body including a bottom that has an opening, and a lateral wall; a basket for containing the powdered product, the basket made of filtering material and arranged inside the cup-shaped body; support elements that are arranged between the bottom of the cup-shaped body and the basket; spacer elements that delimit a plurality of preferential channels between the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body and the basket; and a deflector device transverse to a longitudinal axis; wherein the support elements are interposed between the plurality preferential channels and the opening; wherein the support elements create a labyrinth path for an infusion fluid coming from the plurality of preferential channels.
 16. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein the basket has a shape of a cup-shaped body, the basket includes a lateral wall and a bottom wall that delimit an inner cavity and an opening; wherein the lateral wall of the basket is made of a deformable material.
 17. The capsule according to claim 16, wherein the basket is made of a deformable material.
 18. The capsule according to claim 16, wherein the deflector device includes a circular-shaped plate arranged inside the inner cavity of the basket.
 19. The capsule according to claim 18, wherein the deflector device is arranged in a vicinity of the bottom wall of the basket.
 20. The capsule according to claim 18, wherein the deflector device rests on the bottom wall of the basket.
 21. The capsule according to claim 20, wherein the deflector device is fixed to the bottom wall of the basket.
 22. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the cup-shaped body, the basket, or the lid is made of biodegradable material.
 23. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein the spacer elements are interposed between the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body and a lateral wall of the basket so as to avoid adherence between the lateral wall of the basket and the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body and to delimit the plurality of preferential channels; wherein the spacer elements project longitudinally from the lateral wall inside the cup-shaped body.
 24. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein the deflector device is supported on and fixed to the support elements of a tubular body.
 25. The capsule according to claim 15, further comprising: a lid that is arranged to close the cup-shaped body; wherein the cup-shaped body includes a contact edge in a shape of a circular ring, the contact edge protrudes radially outside the lateral wall; wherein the basket includes an edge that has a form of a circular ring and radially protrudes outside the lateral wall, the edge interposed between the contact edge and the lid; wherein the lid is releasably mounted with respect to the cup-shaped body.
 26. The capsule according to claim 25, wherein the contact edge has a recess formed along an entire inner circular perimeter of the contact edge and facing the cup-shaped body; the edge of the basket resting in contact with the recess of the cup-shaped body.
 27. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein: the opening is coaxial with the longitudinal axis; the support elements are substantially evenly distributed around the opening so as to provide a tortuous path of the infusion liquid; and the support elements protrude from the bottom inside the cup-shaped body and support the basket.
 28. The capsule according to claim 27, wherein: the support elements include a plurality of first support elements and a plurality of second support elements; wherein the first support elements are radial walls and the second support elements are curved walls; wherein the first support elements are interposed between the second support elements and the opening.
 29. The capsule according to claim 27, wherein: the support elements include a plurality of first support elements and a plurality of second support elements; wherein the first support elements and the second support elements are radial walls; wherein the plurality of first support elements are larger in size than the plurality of second support elements; wherein two adjacent first support elements of the plurality of first support elements are spaced one with respect to the other by one of the plurality of second support elements.
 30. The capsule according to claim 15, wherein the powdered product is for American coffee.
 31. A method for obtaining the infusion of the powdered product via the capsule according to claim 15, the method comprising: substantially centrally and substantially vertically injecting a given amount of hot water into the basket; causing at least part of the hot water to be deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the deflector device; deforming at least a portion of the basket by interaction of the hot water and of the spacer elements so as to form protrusions; filtering the infusion in the substantially horizontal direction by causing the infusion to pass through substantially vertical filtering means of the basket so as to convey the filtered infusion in the plurality of preferential channels obtained between the cup-shaped body and the basket; causing the filtered infusion to converge along the plurality of preferential channels towards the bottom of the cup-shaped body; and mixing the filtered infusion via the support elements before an out coming of the filtered infusion from the capsule through the opening on the bottom of the cup-shaped body.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein deforming at least a portion of the basket includes obtaining a plurality of longitudinal protrusions that protrude from the lateral wall inside the cavity.
 33. The method according to claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal protrusions is suited to be arranged at least partially around a respective spacer element of the cup-shaped body.
 34. The method according to claim 31, wherein deforming at least a portion of the basket includes deforming at least a portion of the lateral wall of the basket. 